Facts

PHOTO GALLERY

In keeping with the fair's “Celebrating the Great Outdoors” theme, FFA and 4-H members put finishing touches on 19 hay bales donated by Schroeder-Manatee Ranch. Using plywood, natural vegetation and other found objects, the youths decorated the bales to vie for cash prizes in the first-year contest.

Youths brought in animals to be inspected and weighed, hoping their fair projects made the grade to be shown and auctioned.

All of the preparation comes together Thursday, when the Manatee County Fair opens at the fairgrounds, 1402 14th Ave. W., Palmetto. The fair continues through Jan. 26.

Fair Manager Daniel West said entertainers were chosen to reflect the theme. Among the options will be the Grizzly Experience bear show and Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Show. At the Lawton's Trout Farm indoor exhibit, anglers can cast a line into a tank in an attempt to reel in a rainbow trout.

Musical entertainers will include Marty Stuart, The Henningsens, Building 429, Mikeschair, The Ben Davis Project and Alter Eagles.

People interested in getting a head start can attend the Dairy Showmanship event at 6 p.m. today and see FFA and 4-H members parade their dairy cows around the arena. Admission is free for the show. Youths also participated Tuesday by showing their swine entries.

Everyone will be admitted free from 5 to 10 p.m. Tuesday. Fees will be paid by PalmettoBuild, a coalition of about 30 churches that will host a missions exhibit by 55 organizations that work to help people affected by poverty, abuse and neglect.

Regular fair admission is $8 for age 13 and older, $7 for people 55 and older, $5 for active military with ID, $5 for ages 6 to 12, and free for children younger than 5.

For details, visit manateecountyfair.com or call 722-8951 or 722-1639.

<p><em>PALMETTO</em> - Artists and crafters spent Saturday toting their creations to the Manatee County fairgrounds, visions of Best of Show awards in their heads.</p><p>In keeping with the fair's “Celebrating the Great Outdoors” theme, FFA and 4-H members put finishing touches on 19 hay bales donated by Schroeder-Manatee Ranch. Using plywood, natural vegetation and other found objects, the youths decorated the bales to vie for cash prizes in the first-year contest.</p><p>Youths brought in animals to be inspected and weighed, hoping their fair projects made the grade to be shown and auctioned.</p><p>All of the preparation comes together Thursday, when the Manatee County Fair opens at the fairgrounds, 1402 14th Ave. W., Palmetto. The fair continues through Jan. 26.</p><p>Fair Manager Daniel West said entertainers were chosen to reflect the theme. Among the options will be the Grizzly Experience bear show and Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Show. At the Lawton's Trout Farm indoor exhibit, anglers can cast a line into a tank in an attempt to reel in a rainbow trout.</p><p>Musical entertainers will include Marty Stuart, The Henningsens, Building 429, Mikeschair, The Ben Davis Project and Alter Eagles.</p><p>People interested in getting a head start can attend the Dairy Showmanship event at 6 p.m. today and see FFA and 4-H members parade their dairy cows around the arena. Admission is free for the show. Youths also participated Tuesday by showing their swine entries.</p><p>Everyone will be admitted free from 5 to 10 p.m. Tuesday. Fees will be paid by PalmettoBuild, a coalition of about 30 churches that will host a missions exhibit by 55 organizations that work to help people affected by poverty, abuse and neglect.</p><p>Regular fair admission is $8 for age 13 and older, $7 for people 55 and older, $5 for active military with ID, $5 for ages 6 to 12, and free for children younger than 5.</p><p>For details, visit manateecountyfair.com or call 722-8951 or 722-1639.</p>